Trenton, NJ - On a joyful yet rainy autumn Sunday, the sacred walls of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church echoed with hymns of gratitude and joy as the faithful gathered to celebrate 106 years of unbroken ministry in Christ. From generation to generation, this parish has stood as a beacon of light, faith, and Ukrainian heritage in the capital city of New Jersey - a testament to the enduring power of love and devotion rooted in the Gospel.

From the Spiritual Center of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA in South Bound Brook, His Eminence Metropolitan Antony, the Prime Hierarch of the Church, and His Eminence Archbishop Daniel, spiritual father of the Western Eparchy, journeyed to Trenton to join the clergy and faithful for this milestone celebration. They were greeted with reverence, love, and deep emotion by the pastor, Rev. Fr. Roman Marchyshak, along with visiting clergy: Very Rev. Fr. Orest Pukhalsky (Millville, NJ), Very Rev. Fr. Volodymyr Steblyna (Philadelphia, PA), Rev. Fr. David Chidzhocki (St. Sophia Seminary), Protodeacon Ihor Mahlay, Protodeacon Pavlo Vysotskyi, and Deacon Valentin Olyinyk.

As the procession approached the church, banners fluttered in the autumn breeze - symbols of faith carried proudly by generations of parishioners. Representatives of the parish board, sisterhood, and youth awaited at the doors, each bearing gifts of love and gratitude. The children of the parish, radiant with joy, offered flowers and recited poetry - simple yet profound expressions of innocence and faith that moved every heart present.

Bread and salt - the ancient Ukrainian symbols of hospitality - were presented to the hierarchs, uniting tradition with living faith. The parish choir, under the inspiring direction of Maestro Taras Pavlovsky, filled the air with hymns of praise as the hierarchs entered the church amid the glow of candles and the scent of incense, a moment that felt both timeless and holy.

Within the sacred temple, Metropolitan Antony was vested in the midst of his flock - a visible reminder of the shepherd’s love for his people. Standing beside him, Archbishop Daniel joined in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, surrounded by clergy, seminarians, and faithful who came to give thanks for over a century of grace.

The deacons’ petitions rose heavenward like incense, calling upon the Holy Spirit to bless the gathered faithful. Following the Gospel reading, Archbishop Daniel delivered a stirring sermon on Christ’s call to His disciples: “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

“Each of us,” the Archbishop preached, “is called to cast the nets of love into the great ocean of this world. The sea may be turbulent, the waters deep, and the winds strong - yet when we throw our nets with faith, Christ fills them with the souls of those who seek truth, mercy, and light. To be a Christian is to become a fisher of hope - to bring others into the safe harbor of God’s embrace.”

He spoke of the fishermen of Galilee and compared them to the faithful of Holy Trinity Parish - generations who cast their nets of service, prayer, and compassion in the city of Trenton. “Your church,” he said, “has been that vessel for 106 years - a ship of salvation amid the storms of time, guided always by Christ at the helm.”

As the Liturgy reached its height, the faithful approached the Holy Chalice - uniting their lives with the eternal mystery of Christ’s love. Young and old, newly baptized infants and elders who had prayed for decades, came forward with reverence and tears of gratitude. It was a moment of spiritual unity - one family gathered at the Lord’s table, one heart beating with faith.

At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Archbishop Daniel, on behalf of the Council of Bishops of the UOC of the USA, announced the names of individuals for ecclesiastical awards, whiche were presented by His Eminence Metropolitan Antony to five dedicated parishioners for their years of faithful service, stewardship, and love for the Church: Rosemary Zerrenner, Scabarozi Barbara, Michael Martynenko Jr., Thomas Walters, Roman Kostiv. The pastor, Fr. Roman, offered words of heartfelt gratitude to the hierarchs and all present, presenting the traditional prosfora (blessed bread) as a sign of respect and unity.

In a touching and joyful moment, Archbishop Daniel offered the prayers of naming over the newborn Daria Marchyshak, daughter of Fr. Roman and Dobrodiyka Maria. The sacred naming, performed on the eighth day after birth, symbolized the continuity of life and faith - the living bridge between the past and future of this blessed parish.

Following the Divine Liturgy, the celebration continued in the parish hall, transformed into a banquet of fellowship. Tables were filled with Ukrainian delicacies lovingly prepared by the parish sisterhood, laughter and song filled the room, and stories of faith, perseverance, and love were shared.

As the joyful celebration continued in the parish hall, the faithful’s voices of gratitude turned toward His Eminence Metropolitan Antony, who, having been greeted earlier by the parish for the 40th Anniversary of his Archpastoral Consecration, was presented with a celebratory cake by the pastor and parishioners. Smiling warmly, His Eminence responded with heartfelt humility:

“I am so grateful for this honor,” Metropolitan Antony said. “It is difficult for me to believe that forty years have gone by - and when I add to that another fourteen years of my priesthood, it means fifty-four years of service to the Lord and His people. You may think, my beloved, that when bishops come to you and celebrate your anniversaries, it is a blessing for you - but I assure you, most of the time we go home feeling more blessed ourselves than what we have given to you. So thank you very much for your love, your greetings, and above all - please keep us in your prayers.”

The congregation listened with deep emotion, recognizing the humility and fatherly love that have marked the Metropolitan’s entire ministry. The faithful responded with warm applause and the resounding chant of “God Grant You Many Years!” filling the hall with joy, gratitude, and grace.

In that same spirit of affection, the congregation then turned to their own beloved pastor, Fr. Roman, who was preparing to celebrate his birthday the very next day. The parishioners surprised him with a festive cake, joyful embraces from the children, fragrant flowers, and the singing of a heartfelt rendition of “God Grant You Many Years,” filling the hall with warmth, laughter, and love.

As the day concluded, one could not help but feel the profound sense of gratitude that permeated every word, every smile, and every prayer. Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Trenton, NJ is more than a building - it is a sacred story written in the lives of its people, a story of steadfast faith, unwavering love, and devotion to Christ.

For 106 years, through wars, migration, and generations of change, this parish has remained an anchor of hope - proclaiming that the light of Christ can never be dimmed. And as Metropolitan Antony and Archbishop Daniel offered their final blessing, the faithful once again heard the quiet call that has guided them for more than a century:

“Let your nets be cast into the deep - for the harvest of love is never over when the Lord is your captain.”